Man, 20, Arrested After Fatal Machete Attack in Marche-en-Famenne
A 20-year-old man from Marche-en-Famenne has been arrested on charges of assassination and attempted assassination following a brutal machete attack in the city center that left one woman dead and another seriously injured. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 13, has sent shockwaves through the small Belgian community of approximately 17,000 residents.
The Attack
Between midnight and 1:00 AM on Monday, a young woman of foreign nationality was pursued on the public highway on Avenue de la Toison d’Or and struck multiple times with a sharp-edged weapon, identified by local media as a machete. According to RTBF, the victim sustained wounds to her face, the back of her skull, and her leg. A second woman present at the scene also suffered serious injuries but has since been declared out of danger.
A local resident, Gaëtan Halleux, witnessed the attack and rushed to provide first aid. Despite his efforts, the first victim died in his arms. “She died in my arms,” Halleux told L’Avenir, describing the harrowing scene.
Swift Investigation and Arrest
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of Luxembourg province confirmed that the investigating judge, deputy prosecutor, a forensic doctor, and the technical and scientific police lab were dispatched to the scene immediately. Four people were initially detained and four searches were carried out simultaneously. Three of those arrested were subsequently cleared and released.
L’Avenir reported that the main suspect — a 20-year-old local resident with no known criminal record — remains in custody. The prosecutor’s office has requested an arrest warrant, and the suspect was to be presented to the investigating magistrate on Tuesday, July 14. He faces charges of assassination (murder with premeditation) and attempted assassination, the most serious homicide charges under Belgian law.
Community Shock and Response
The attack has deeply shaken Marche-en-Famenne, a quiet administrative and commercial hub in the Ardennes region of Wallonia that is unaccustomed to violent crime of this nature.
Mayor Nicolas Grégoire expressed his condolences and acknowledged the community’s distress. “On behalf of the City, I wish to express my sincerest thoughts to the family and loved ones of the victim, as well as to the second injured person and their loved ones,” Grégoire said in a statement reported by DH Net. “Our municipality is not accustomed to this type of incident.”
The mayor credited the municipal network of surveillance cameras with contributing to the investigation, noting that the footage aided police work. He also announced that the city would review its prevention and control measures in consultation with police services to strengthen public safety.
A psychosocial support hotline has been established by the Famenne-Ardenne police zone for residents affected by the tragedy.
Investigation Ongoing
The motive for the attack remains unclear. The Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that the investigation will determine the exact circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, including what prompted the assailant to pursue and attack the women. The victim was identified as a foreign national who was active in the sex work industry, a detail noted by prosecutors as contextual.
Under Belgian law, the charge of assassination — murder with premeditation — carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment. The suspect’s background, including any relationship to the victims, has not been disclosed as the judicial investigation continues.
What’s Next
The suspect is expected to appear before an investigating magistrate who will determine whether to uphold the arrest warrant and order pretrial detention. The investigation is expected to examine surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and witness testimony to establish a timeline and motive. The city of Marche-en-Famenne has pledged to review its security protocols in the wake of the tragedy, while the community mourns a loss that has shattered its sense of normalcy.